Ferran Torres confesses Lionel Messi nervousness before World Cup final 2026: The goal belonged to 47 million

Ferran Torres says his goal belonged to 47 million people in Spain after La Roja overcame their anxiety about facing Lionel Messi to win the World Cup final 2026. Barcelonas Torres struck in the 106th minute in New Jersey to ensure 39-year-old Messi failed to win a second successive World Cup title in what could prove the icons last international match.Destiny was written, substitute Torres said, via AS. We were made to win.If all finals are difficult, when you have Messi as an opponent, that nervousness sets in. We [played] more football.Table of ContentsWorld Cup final 2026: Spain beat ArgentinaWorld Cup final 2026: Spain team vs ArgentinaWorld Cup final 2026: Argentina full starting line up vs SpainSpain vs Argentina: World Cup final 2026 statsWorld Cup final 2026: Spain beat ArgentinaIn a tempestuous encounter, Argentina had Enzo Fernandez dismissed during added time in the second half of regular time.In the end, the goal belonged to 47 million people, not just to me out of 26 [Spain players], said 26-year-old Torres.[Its] a huge relief. Ive been heavily criticised during the World Cup. Thank God, who always gives me the strength to keep going.World Cup final 2026: Spain team vs ArgentinaSpain were unchanged from their semi-final win over France, bringing Torres on for Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute.Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel OyarzabalSpain substitutes: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Victor Munoz, Borja IglesiasWorld Cup final 2026: Argentina full starting line up vs SpainArgentina made three alterations from their last-four victory over England, bringing in Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Gonzalez and Gonzalo Montiel for Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina.Argentina XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel MessiArgentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro MartinezSpain vs Argentina: World Cup final 2026 statsThis was the first time the reigning Copa America champions had faced the reigning European champions in a World Cup finalArgentina were the sixth reigning champions to reach a World Cup final the first two won (Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962), but the last four have lost (Argentina in 1990 and 2026, Brazil in 1998 and France in 2022)This was the first time the two nations ranked first (Argentina) and second (Spain) in FIFAs rankings had met at any stage of a World CupMessis side were competing in their seventh World Cup final, with only Germany playing more (8)The captain became the second player in World Cup history to appear in three finals (2014, 2022 and 2026), along with Brazils Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002)At 39 years and 25 days of age, Messi became the oldest outfield player to appear in a finalHaving won all seven of their matches at the 2026 edition, Argentina failed to become the first team since Brazil in 2002 (won 7/7) to have a 100% winning record at a single editionSpains total of seven clean sheets is the most by any side at a single World Cup tournament and they are unbeaten in their last 38 matches in all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in March 2024They have set the longest ever unbeaten run by a European nation Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexis Mac Allister Argentina National Football Team Cristian Romero Dani Olmo David Raya Donald Trump Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernndez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup Lamine Yamal Lionel Scaloni Lisandro Martinez Luis de la Fuente Marc Cucurella Mikel Merino Pedri Rodri Rodrigo de Paul Spain National Football Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Spain 1-0 Argentina: Report, result and goals as La Roja down Messi to claim second World Cup title Mitch Fretton 19th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Spain v Argentina live text commentary, updates, goals and stats as it happened Jon Fisher 19th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Spain vs Argentina confirmed teams and full line ups as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal meet, TV channel, online stream and stats Tom Rostance 19th July, 2026 World Cup final 2026: Spain vs Argentina begins with Tom Cruise saying football brought the world together in front of US president Donald Trump Ben Miller 19th July, 2026 What time is the World Cup final 2026 halftime show? 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